After riding for at least 20-25 minutes, I untack my horse and go over his back with a curry and my hands to check him out (he is young) and to get rid of his itches. I have noticed that for rides where we're doing more than just walking along slowly, his back is warmer over the loins, behind where the saddle rests than the rest of his back.

Is this normal? I'm concerned that he may be using his back incorrectly or not engaging his stomach muscles enough. He is still quite green and we're working up his fitness level with dressage exercises, which is usually when his back is quite warm.

~*~anebel~*~

04-12-2013 09:18 PM

Yup, normal. That's what people mean when they say "warming the back up" or "keeping the back warm". Also why quarter sheets are so important when riding in cold weather :)Posted via Mobile Device